Chardonnay Flashcards
High-acidity, light to medium body and flavors of green fruits (apples, pears), citrus fruits (lemon) and wet stone describes Chardonnay from a ________ climate.
Cool-Climate
Medium to high acidity, medium to full body and flavors of lemon, stone fruit (peach), and sometimes tropical fruit (melon) describes Chardonnay from a ________ climate.
Moderate
Full-bodied, medium in acidity, and dominated by flavors of stone fruit (peach) and tropical fruit (pineapple, banana) describes Chardonnay from a ________ climate.
Warm
What is acidification?
Adding extra acid during winemaking.
What types of grapes would need to go through acidification and why?
Commonly used for many warm-weather Chardonnays to balance the alcohol to the body of wine.
What can putting a Malolactic conversion do to a Chardonnay?
Add dairy flavors (butter, cream) and soften harsh acids.
What are the 4 main important Chardonnay regions in Burgundy, France?
- Bourgogne AOC
- Chablis AOC
- Côte d’Or
- Mâconnais
Wines labeled under this regional appellation can be made from grapes grown anywhere in Burgundy.
Bourgogne AOC
Chardonnay labeled with this Burgundy village appellation are usually simple with apple and lemon characteristics and high acidity due to its cool climate.
Chablis AOC
Chardonnay production from Côte d’Or is focused on the area to the south in the sub-region ________ .
Côte de Beaune
What are the 2 best-known villages in Côte de Beaune for high quality Chardonnay production?
- Meursault AOC
- Puligny-Montrachet AOC
This sub-region in the Burgundy region of Mâconnais is a source of fruity and mostly unoaked Chardonnay.
Mâcon AOC
Southern Chardonnay producing region in the south of Burgundy.
Mâconnais
This sub-region in the Burgundy region of Mâconnais is located on steep, east and south-east facing slopes that produce high quality Chardonnay.
Pouilly-Fuissé AOC
Two most well know Chardonnay producing regions in the Burgundy region of Mâconnais.
- Mâcon AOC
- Pouilly-Fuissé AOC
What is the name of the region along the Mediterranean coast in Southern France, stretching from the Spanish boarder in the west to the River Rhône in the east?
Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Most Chardonnays from the Languedoc-Roussillon region are labeled with _______ IGP.
Pays d’Or
California’s inland _________ is cut off from any sea influence by mountains and has warm and dry climate. Chardonnay grapes grown here are used for high-volume brands.
Central Valley
Name the ___ most famous California Coastal influenced regions that produce high quality Chardonnays.
- Los Carneros
- Sonoma
- Napa Valley
- Santa Barbara County
What is the state with smaller Chardonnay production in USA compared to California, but produces refreshingly high acidity Chardonnays.
Oregon
What are the 4 main Chardonnay producing regions in Australia?
- South Eastern Australia (broad term to cover 5-6 states)
- Adelaide Hills
- Yarra Valley
- Margaret River (Western Australia)
Where is the Adelaide Hills region? How is it cooled?
South Australia
Altitude
What is the name of the famous Chardonnay producing region in Southern Australia that is cooled by altitude?
Adelaide Hills
Where is the Yarra Valley region and how is it cooled?
In Victoria (South Eastern Australia)
Cooled by Ocean currents from the south.
Where is the Margaret River region? What is its climate?
Western Australia
Warm, but with cooling sea breezes to moderate temperatures and slow ripening.
What are New Zealands 2 most famous Chardonnay producing regions?
- Marlborough
- Hawke’s Bay
What are Chile’s 2 most famous Chardonnay producing regions?
- Casablanca Valley (Pacific Coastal region exposures to sea breezes and morning fogs)
- Central Valley (larger, warmer, high-volume wines)
What are South Africa’s 2 most famous Chardonnay producing regions?
- Western Cape (high-volume)
- Walker Bay (Coastal, coolest region in South Africa due to exposure to sea breezes)
Where is the Chardonnay producing region of Los Carneros?
What cools this area?
Northern California
Cooled by morning fogs that come in from the San Pablo Bay.
What happens to the climate Napa Valley as you go North?
Becomes increasingly warmer.
Where is the Chardonnay producing region of Santa Barbara County?
What is its climate and its factors?
California’s Central Coast
Vineyards receive cooling sea breezes that are funneled inland by lateral valleys.
What is the main white grape variety in Burgundy?
Chardonnay
List Burgundy labeling hierarchy from highest-quality to lowest.
- Grand Cru Vineyards
- Premier Cru Vineyards
- Village Appellations
- Regional Appallations
